Car accidents cause different injuries, some more severe than others. Serious catastrophic injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents can permanently affect a person’s quality of life. Often these injuries result from physical damage to the body, leaving the victim disfigured or disabled. The victim may require long-term or life-long care. These injuries can impair a victim’s ability to work and earn a living.
Here are some examples of catastrophic injuries:
- Spinal cord damage
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage and failure
- Severe burns
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of sight
- Amputation
- Loss of bodily functions
You must understand how serious these injuries are to know how much you need to make a full recovery.
How can a victim of catastrophic injuries recover damages?
Motor vehicle accidents are so common, so much so that Michigan established no-fault laws for people who sustain damages in a car accident. The goal of the no-fault law is to lessen lawsuits and streamline the process of recovering compensation. Michigan requires all drivers to obtain no-fault car insurance or personal injury protection (PIP).
Your insurance provider should cover the damages if you sustain injuries in a car accident. However, the medical costs of catastrophic injuries may far exceed your coverage limits. On top of the PIP claims, you might want to pursue a third-party lawsuit.
What is a third-party lawsuit?
A third-party lawsuit is when the victim sues the driver legally responsible for the car accident. Because Michigan is a no-fault state, it limits the rights of victims. Only an individual with serious impairment of bodily functions can sue a negligent driver. The driver must pay you for the damages they caused that surpass your insurance limit.
Pursuing a third-party lawsuit is challenging, but you should not let it stop you from fighting for your right to fair and just compensation.